Category Archives: Matthew

Tony Funderburk shares messages of faith, hope, and love found in the book of Matthew

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“We have nothing to fear but fear itself.” That’s a good line. Even though it does come from a former U.S. president who was so wrong on so many things. But back in that time in American history, even FDR understood that fear creates the wrong kind of defensive positions.

Fearful defensive positions lead to lights under baskets.

Yes, that’s a thinly-veiled reference to a Bible verse. And it’s one of those verses written in red. So, you know what that means. Right? As a friend of mine used to say, “Truth is about to be uttered.”

Fear can drive you so far into defensive positions that you won’t speak up when humans enslave other humans. Or you won’t speak up when adults traffic little kids for sex. Or you won’t speak up when men use underage girls, and then take them to abortion clinics. In fact, maybe you’ll even close your eyes and ears so you don’t have to see or hear.

How many times have I read some full-grown male talk about “crying in the fetal position?” And about what? What in the world could drive a full-grown male to that point? The answer is in the question.

The world.

And right now the world wants to erase, nullify, subjugate, and annihilate real men. Because the world (which is controlled by a tyrannical, will-bending, unrelenting ruler) fears real men. Especially those who love Jesus. But that ruler is cunning. He uses that fear as his greatest strength. If you allow it.

And if you’re a Christian, you won’t allow it. For one simple reason.

God didn’t give you a spirit of fear. He gave you a spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Now, what can you do with all that?

Well, how about “all things” for starters?

That just about covers everything. Right? So, why haven’t you done ALL things through the One who made you? Same reason I haven’t And the same reason no one else has. Because you lean on your own understanding, not God’s. Yeah, we’ve all been there. And that can lead to a constant or consistent state of fear which stems from a weak supposition. That is, you don’t believe God will help.

Let’s look at it from His perspective for a moment…

God knows He created you. He gives you power, love, and a sound mind. He gives you freedom to choose your own path. And He offers His wisdom and understanding of how the world and everything in it works.

So, all you gotta do, to tap into that wisdom and understanding, is read His Word and enjoy the renewing of your mind which comes from it. You might be surprised at how fast you could leave defensive positions behind.

In 1998, I wrote a song, which was a form of a prayer, about leaving fear behind. It’s called, “The One True Way To Peace.” Here’s the first verse…

Judge me; I need to be judged.
Correct me;  whenever I’m wrong.
Save me from thinking my thoughts.
I’ve lived in them way too long.
Show me what I need to see.
Tell me what I have to hear.
Give me a voice of wisdom.
Thank You for taking my fear.

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There are a lot of shyster marketers out there (and it’s a sad commentary to say there are a lot) who want to separate you from your moolah. And they claim to have the keys to success. If you’re willing to opt in, shell out, and upgrade to the “next level” as they build a better mousetrap.

But most of them can’t find their keys to success in the dark.

It’s interesting to note the definition and origin of the word “shyster.” Here’s what I found in one of my dictionaries: shyster – a person, especially a lawyer, who uses unscrupulous, fraudulent, or deceptive methods in business. Example: an ambulance-chasing shyster

And here’s what the dictionary says about the origin of the word: “mid 19th century: said to be from Scheuster, the name of a lawyer whose behavior provoked accusations of ‘scheuster’ practices, perhaps reinforced by German Scheisser ‘worthless person’.”

(Side note: in German, Scheuster would be pronounced more like Shoyster. And Scheisser is pronounced Shysser. So, the connection’s getting clearer, right?)

That dictionary also shares example sentences. I like how it followed up the definition with, “This guy makes used car salesmen and shyster real-estate agents look good.”

Ouch! That’s harsh. And so true about so many marketers.

Because they wouldn’t know the real keys to success if they were hanging on a tree in their front yard.

“And I suppose you DO know, Tony?”

Yes, actually. But it’s important to first know the true definition of success. A few years ago, I shared how it’s spelled out in 13 letters. And I’ll give you the short version right now. Truly successful people will live forever.

Prolly won’t hear many motivational speakers tell you that. Because they don’t define success based on eternal, qualitative data. Nope. They base it on typical, worldly, quantitative data. Six and seven figure incomes. Real estate holdings. Whether you can afford to travel first class or not.

But riches you can hold in your hand, or tap into with a plastic card, aren’t riches at all. As I’ve said before, even if you can build empires, employ tens of thousands of people, and change the world, you can still be broke.

Jesus said you can do all that and still lose your soul.

And that’s the complete opposite of success. Yeah, that’s failure on a scale you shouldn’t even imagine.

So, what are the true success keys? And how can you get your hands on ’em? They’re the same as they’ve been for 2000 years. And they’re the same ones the Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, and Timothy, Titus, and Philemon heard about from that guy named Paul.

Ignore them, and all your efforts lead to failure.

Because if you conquer the world and lose your soul, you fail. Miserably.

Miserable failure,
Lost in the fire.
Turbulent torment,
Unquenched desire.
You can avoid it,
It’s up to you.
Cool, Living Water
Is your rescue.

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“One of these days, pow! To the moon, Alice!” That’s a famous line from Jackie Gleason’s character, Ralph Cramden, in the old TV show, The Honeymooners. And thank goodness that show only lasted one season. But I didn’t bring it up to talk about Ralph or old TV shows.

I found some lyrics about goin’ to the moon.

And you won’t believe (or maybe you will) where I found ’em.

I did an online search and found some curious words to a “song” under the heading of contemporary Christian music lyrics. Of course, my idea of lyrics is much different than most pop stars these days. But I’ll set that aside, for now, and share just a couple of lines from the chorus of that “song.”

“I wanna go to the moon
Don’t leave so soon (don’t leave so soon)
How could I get through? (How could I get through?)”

I don’t have to share the next six lines to the chorus. Because they’re just a repeat of those three I just shared. But if you’re familiar with rapper, Kanye West, maybe you’ve heard him sing/say those words. I never have.

And here’s the thing.

What is it about those lyrics that would make anyone think they should go under the heading of contemporary Christian music? Because Christians don’t aspire to go to the moon. That’s incredibly short-sighted when compared to going to Heaven.

But maybe you think I’m being harsh and judgmental. Maybe you think, “Gosh, Tony. That’s just the chorus. The verses probably explain why the chorus says that.”

Yeah, you’d think so. Or hope so. But check out this verse. And see if it helps you understand why Kanye wants to make a lunar landing.

“Hmm, hmm, here we go strappin’, we up
Never forget all the memories
Sittin’, I sip out my cup
Thinkin’ I should be a better me
Truly I’m blessed from the start
So much to say in these melodies, oh
Stare at the sky, the moon singin’ sweet
Oh my God, such a sweet moment
Angels, they say I’m not ever weak, such a lonely moment
Heaven knows I might never sleep, trouble in my soul
Hey, I’ve been prayin’, life can be drainin’, oh
Hey, we were late, tryna keep haulin’ on
I’m ashamed, hated what I will see
And nobody knows, so I go”

OK, I know rappers aren’t bound by meter and diction. And they prefer unrhymed iambic pentameter. But isn’t the point of lyrics to convey a message that somebody besides the singer/sayer can understand?

But let’s say that’s not the point.

If Mr. West is “tryna” make a Christian point, shouldn’t there be actual Christian truth in there somewhere?

But there’s basically NO Christian truth in those words. “Thinkin’ I should be a better me.” But Jesus said no one is good but God. “Truly, I’m blessed from the start.” Well, yeah. Each person is blessed at birth. But every person sins and blots out that blessing. So, each person should find the humility to ask for God’s forgiveness.

“Angels, they say I’m not ever weak” is a weird one. Because, first, angels don’t converse with you. And, second, you ARE weak. You ARE dying. And there’s nothing you can do to keep that from happening. So, you need answers. You can’t just “Stare at the sky” or a sweet singin’ moon. You need the maker of the moon.

And that’s why it’s harmful to call lyrics, like Kanye wrote, Christian. They’re not.

And I pray that he’s not one of those to whom God will say, “I never knew you. Depart from me…”

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Almost seven years ago, to the day, I wrote about a disease that popped up in the “happiest place on Earth.” And I shared how important tender loving care is when something like that happens. Then, wouldn’t you know it, another disease popped up, and people still freaked out.

Tender loving care flew out the window.

Back when I wrote about that other article, I mentioned how over 70 people, who visited Disneyland, were infected with measles. And I said, since cases of measles were showing up in other places besides California, it proved that “it’s a small world after all.”

Yeah, I’m a heartless and mean guy. But the spread of a disease does show how we humans are more connected than we’d often care to admit.

When people get sick, those are opportunities to “love your neighbor as yourself.”

But maybe you think it’s better to steer clear of your sick neighbor. Maybe you believe you should put on a face diaper (aka “mask”) and pretend you care about your neighbor.

Hmm…let’s turn that around a sec.

If you were immobilized by a disease, would you prefer your “neighbor” to steer clear? Or do you think you might prefer that someone, anyone, would care enough about a neighbor to nurture you back to health? If you answer “no,” you might be sicker than you realize.

I know when I’m sick, it gives me great joy to have someone bring me soup and juice and a blanket. My wife brings me smoothies, hot tea or coffee, and essential oils for easier breathing and pain relief. What a blessing it is to receive that tender loving care.

When diseases and illnesses break out, people should rise to the occasion. You and I have skills and talents to comfort others. But skills and talents without love mean absolutely nothing.

So, if you truly “love your neighbor as yourself,” or you’re ready to start doing that, take a closer look at what’s going on in the world. Look for Truth. Because Truth is the Way to Life. Focus on that.

I don’t believe
In magic…hocus pocus.
I do believe
My treasure’s where I focus.

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I saw something, on a social media channel, that I’ve seen so many (too many) times. And it sounds so ridiculous. But it’s not surprising. A person, who pretended to impart motivational wisdom, said, “Have faith in yourself, and trust the universe (they capitalized the U in universe) to show you the way.”

Yeesh. Nothing could be further from the Truth.

Years ago I shared a series of 12 posts about some reasons for faith. But not just faith in yourself the rest of the world wants to shout out about. Hardly. No, these were reasons for faith in someone you’ve never seen. And you might not see during your whole life.

There’s nothing wrong with having faith in yourself.

Let me clear that up a little. Because if you don’t have faith in your abilities, your skills, your strengths…you could end up bowing to the will of those who do.

But that kind of faith in yourself can only help you through this life. It can’t, doesn’t, and never will help you into and through eternity. There’s only one faith, in that someone I mentioned earlier, that can do that. And here’s what I said about Him all those years ago…

“Jesus wasn’t simply “a good man”, or ‘a nice teacher’, or ‘a humble prophet”. He was Truth…God with us. He was the manliest of men. And yet He was the gentlest of all. He took on human flesh in order that He could endure, in our place, the death we all deserve. He said, Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth…Yet, the only peace that ever existed on earth was in His body and presence.

He showed us how we need to love one another. And He led by example. Since there is no greater love than to ‘lay down one’s life for his friends’, Jesus is the ultimate reason for faith.”

I wrote and published a book (which is also a songbook and journal) with 12 songs about faith, hope, and love. And the cool thing about the book is, there’s a secret link in it where you can get those 12 songs (for free) and sing along.

Then, you can take notes.

Or scribble. Or doodle. Whatever. It’s your book after all.

One of the songs in the book (which is also a songbook and journal) is “Give Me The Whole Jesus.” Here are some of the lyrics. And the link to get the book is below.

Give me the whole Jesus,
The whole, good Lord…
The one who shields the child,
The one who wields the sword.

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Get the Raise The Praise book (songbook and journal) here

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OK, it’s a new day. And this is the day to get started on your life, if you haven’t already. I’m talkin’ about your abundant life. The life that’s yours for the asking. But seriously, get started today. Because tomorrow is too late. And that’s a guarantee.

You absolutely can’t do a darn thing about yesterday. It’s gone. Let it go.

And tomorrow doesn’t exist. It’s a concept. A word we use to wrap our minds around the continuation of time. So, don’t try to base your life and decisions on a day that doesn’t exist.

Here’s the way I put it a long time ago: “Today is tomorrow’s yesterday and yesterday’s tomorrow.”

(By the way, you can get it on a t-shirt. Click here Today.)

And I’ve talked about this, in some way or another, several times over the years. But you might be one of those people who’s worried about the future. If you do, and you’re a Christian, you’re sinning. Because Jesus said, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” And He didn’t say that just to hear himself talk.

If you worry about the future, and you’re not a Christian, you’ve got bigger fish to fry. Because your soul is in danger.

And tomorrow is too late to do anything about it.

Maybe today is so difficult that you prefer to live in the past or the future. If so, I encourage you to take a close look at where your focus is. And see if it’s all on you and your problems. And if life feels too hard to even get up off the couch, chair, or bed, then stop relying on feelings.

Have you ever heard of the “Apostle Paul?” If not, please look for him in the Bible. You can find his letters (aka epistles…aka “books”) in the New Testament section. And if you’re not even sure where that is, open a Bible and turn right and don’t stop till you get there.

You’ll find out about Paul in the “book of Acts.”And his letters go from the next book, Romans, through another book called “Philemon”. (that’s pronounced Fy lee mun by the way). Paul said many things I love. And one of my favorites is, “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus“.

In other words, keep looking up where the prize is, not here in your problems.

One more thing””love your neighbor as yourself”. And when should you start? Say it with me…

Today is the day you’ve been waiting for…today.
Tomorrow is too late, so please don’t wait.
Today is the day. Concentrating on today
You’ll accomplish more in life, don’t hesitate.

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I’m reminded of a sound bite from a presidential debate between Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter. Carter presented what he thought was a good case against then Governor Reagan’s position on Medicare. And when Carter finished, Reagan started his counterpoint by saying, “There you go again.” And then he pointed out the flaws in Carter’s statements.

But what did “there you go again” mean?

Well, in that set of circumstances, Reagan wanted the people to understand Carter’s straw man arguments. Reagan told the people he wasn’t against “helping the people.” But he had seen another “piece of legislation” he liked better. Because he believed it would help people more.

While I despise Carter’s policies, and I admire Reagan’s communication skills, they were both wrong.

Because you don’t “help the people” by taking tons of their money and then trickling some of it back to them. That’s called stealing. And no pleasant-sounding names will change that fact.

Medicare, medicaid, and all the other so-called “healthcare” programs and and “welfare” proposals prove another former President wrong. Donald Trump made speeches where he proudly declared, “America will never be a socialist country.” But America has been a socialist country for decades already.

And just this week I’ve seen political pundits saying things like, “Elections have consequences.” And, “Be careful what (or who) you wish for.” Because they see America going further down the tubes.

But what the vast majority of people don’t understand is that “elections” are doing exactly what is to be expected. Because “elections” have moved so far away from Godly principles they’re doomed before they even start.

“Elections” will never solve our problems because the vast majority of people punch their tickets and run through the wide gate to destruction. So, a political system based on “majority rule” is ultimately doomed.

And that’s yet another reason why I sang…

Be Careful What You Wish For

You’ve got a house and your privacy;
A brand new car; you’re in the driver’s seat,
But you believe there’s a bigger dream you have to follow…
And so you work for your daily bread
And wish for something that could get you ahead
Because losing the race would be such a hard pill to swallow

Be careful what you wish for…
Look out “˜cause it might come true…
You never, ever really know what’s in store
So be careful…be careful what you wish for

She feeds the kids and sends “˜em off to school
She never breaks or even bends a rule
But in her mind she’s convinced that something is missing
And so she spends what her husband makes
And doesn’t think about the toll it takes
Her mother tried to tell her once, but she wouldn’t listen

Chorus
Now that old world can get its hands on you
But only if you stop and let it
You have the right to change your mind
But somebody might just regret it…don’t forget it

Chorus to end

© 1989 Tony Funderburk

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